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| No.6 December, 2011 |
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Low-carbon and sustainable model of development an ongoing process |
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Energy efficiency is key to sustainability, Financial Secretary John Tsang reiterated at the opening ceremony of InnoAsia 2011 at the Hong Kong Science Park.
"As a responsible member of the international community, Hong Kong has joined global efforts to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Mr Tsang.
In Hong Kong, per capita greenhouse gas emissions stand at about 6 tonnes a year, which is below the global average of more than 7 tonnes per year per person.
Mr Tsang said, "I believe we can, and we will, reduce our carbon footprint.
"We are pursuing a low-carbon and sustainable model of development as an ongoing process. We are also integrating low-carbon strategies with economic development.
"Last December we completed a public consultation on 'Hong Kong's Climate Change Strategy & Action Agenda'. This marked an important milestone in charting Hong Kong's development as a low-carbon city.
"We have set for ourselves a target of reducing our carbon intensity by between 50 to 60 per cent by 2020, using 2005 as the base level. This matches well with the voluntary target pledged by the Central Government in Beijing in 2009 to reduce its carbon intensity by between 40 and 45% by 2020.
"Assuming that we were to reach our target, Hong Kong's greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by up to one-third within a decade."
Since 2005, all new government buildings are required to comply with Building Energy Codes. This also applies to major retrofitting and renovation projects in public buildings. So far, more than 465 energy efficiency upgrading projects have been implemented in existing government facilities.
The Government aims to push forward sustainable construction techniques by adopting low-carbon construction measures in public housing developments, the Director of Housing Duncan Pescod said.
Mr Pescod highlighted the low-carbon construction measures being adopted in the Kai Tak Site 1A housing project.
He said they can reduce carbon emissions by 24%, amounting to 54,000 tonnes during the project's construction. This is the amount of carbon absorbed by more than 2 million trees a year.
The project has environment-friendly features, such as a photo-voltaic system utilising renewable energy, efficient light fittings, and a rainwater harvesting and plant irrigation system. Recycled materials have also been widely used for construction works, Mr Pescod added.
Other green initiatives include wider adoption of prefabricated components such as volumetric precasting of bathrooms and kitchens.
The Kai Tak Site 1A public housing development covers 3.47 hectares and will provide 5,200 flats, scheduled for completion by early 2013. It will provide a green living environment for about 13,000 people.
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